MelbourneScintillating centuries to Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja have led Australia in a commanding position on day one of second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The stumps were drawn when Australia were 345 for 3 on Boxing Day, as the visitors poor show continued on field.
Given very little chance prior to the start of the three-Test series, those odds have since widened following the Windies poor run on the tour. The cricket analysts are already predicting much of the same after day one of the second Test.
Beleaguered Windies, bowling and fielding was awful, but the first day was highly productive for Joe Burns who scored 128 and Usman Khawaja 144, both notched their centuries in the same over.
Aussie opener Burns’s spot in the side was under question coming into the match after failing to fire in his last three Tests, but the unfortunate Shaun Marsh was the man left out and the Queenslander took his opportunity to pile on runs against a listless attack.
Khawaja showed no signs of rust, was returning to the side after a month out with a hamstring injury, and continuing his dazzling form from earlier in the summer.
David Warner early at the task belted 23 runs of 12 balls, but was gone just as quickly. He’ll rue missing out on the big runs after skying one to Marlon Samuels at cover off the bowling of Jerome Taylor (2 for 85).
Burns and Khawaja set about building a big first-innings score for their side, both looked elegant and well in control on their way to a partnership of 258.
Burns fell first, missing a wideish delivery from Kraigg Brathwaite after striding down the wicket and promptly having his bails whipped off by Denesh Ramdin.
Next to go was Khawaja, who tickled a Taylor delivery down leg-side to be out caught behind, as the Windies enjoyed an upsurge in energy late in the day. In spite of the chaos, Captain Jason Holder is confident to change the tone of the series.
Steve Smith 32 not out looked in excellent touch after coming to the crease. He will resume on day two with Adam Voges, who is unbeaten on 10.
Despite forecasts of rain and poor form of the West Indies Test side has not threatened the attendance numbers for the Boxing Day Test, as the crowd of 53,389 turned up at the MCG, to watch supremely confident Australia’s batsmen battering the West Indies bowlers.
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